More 'Under The Lights' Gear

What is with all this ugly adidas gear? I havent really cared about the switch from Nike to Adidas because its just a small logo on the t-shirt/jersey etc. But these shirts and that ugly hat are the last straw. I like the under the lights logo but would never purchase a shirt like that.

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When people don't buy the ugly stuff. Dollars drive merchandise sales. If things don't sell, they'll stop making them. If they sell (like how the jerseys are selling like crazy) they'll make more things like it (like the hat)

What is this the mgofashionpolice? If you don't like it, don't buy it. It's not like it's the only Michigan merchandise available... not by a long shot.

On another note... I like the new Adidas techfit jerseys we'll be wearing this year. They look nicer than the ones we've been wearing the last couple of years and supposedly provide some performance-related advantages as well (says adidas, take it for what its worth).

Who said he didn't? When there's no alternative choice for memorabilia representing the event, it's bound to sell well becuase people are liable to purchase goods in order to have a piece of history. Doesn't mean the stuff doesn't look like shit.

EDIT: I personally like the shirt....not the hat so much, I am just coming from what I believe his POV is.

People who don't like the shirts have just as much right to express their opinion as those who like them. Put me in the catagory that thinks they suck.

When Don Canham took over the Athletic Department, he made a lot of money for Michigan. Most of the time, he did it with class. David Brandon is just sucking every bit of money out of the fanbase and the program that he possibly can with no respect for the "tradition" that he touts at every opportunity.

You can choose to participate in the peripheral income grab if you want. Others may choose not to participate. But all have their right to their opinion.

David Brandon is not forcing the fanbase to purchase this stuff - in contrast, the fanbase by incredible numbers seems to love this stuff and is purchasing it through their own free will. Also, your assertion that the fact he is offering products for sale means he has no respect for Michigan's "tradition" is, again, empty rhetoric.

Michigan merchandise for years has been intensely popular, and lots of people have bought it throughout this country. Nothing David Brandon does is going to change that fact. Wait - he might. Michigan might become MORE popular as a national force if it continues to impose itself with innovative marketing and scheduling ideas (The Big Chill, the Alabama game, the night game, etc.) I fail to see how this is anything other than a good thing for a Michigan fan.

It honestly is not worth debating with Tater. He has stated multiple times that he does not respond. The only time I've ever seen him respond to a comment I made on one of his posts, he called me gay, then changed it before I could even get my response locked in.

I may be wrong, but I think there is only one shirt being shown here. I think the shirt on the left is the front, and the shirt on the right is displaying the rear graphic. Personally, I don't mind it. It has a nice clean look... especially the front. I'm digging the old school Adidas logo.

You are right. One shirt. I would buy the one on the left if it didn't have the logo on the right on the back.

Don't they get that Michigan likes the clean, simple look. The block M is bold, clean and simple and what most fans want. Although I like the old school Adidas logo, I don't like all the modern stripes and swirls most of their gear has.

I went to the MDen on state street last Sat and they had all the shirts. I bought the grey one with the helmets against each to other, and my buddy bought the white shirt from above. Pretty sure they have all of them on their website. http://mden.com/shopping/index.cgi?1101021193171144?1014?1

I'm an Adidas supporter for the most part but this is getting bad. Not just the "Under the Lights Collection", but most all of their merchandise looks cheap and slapped together as of late. I do like the new jerseys and the Techfit concept, along with their improved equipment lines but they need some help on the merchandising/design front.

i like some stuff they do. Im a big fan of the simplistic 'HAIL' shirt or michigan football but its like they dont have graphic designers that appeal to all types of consumers. The lastest stuff is crappy t-shirts you catch at a ball game from a t-shirt cannon, you'd be happy to get it but realize its not that great of a design.

I used to be in the consumer PC division. Back then IBM PCs cost $150 more than an Acer. IBM had way better customer service, warranty, and used gold versus tin in the parts construction.

Guess what? Most people went with the cheaper option.

We had a GM tell us "our new value proposition is best performance for lowest cost" and kicked of a project to reduce cost. Therein lies the end of the the IBM PC.

The bottom line is, until the people in this country shift their shopping habits from "as much cheap stuff as I can get" to "less, but higher quality stuff that will last me longer" we'll continue to get more and more walmart / dollar general quality stuff on the shelves. The funny thing is, it seems the branded companies even push the cheap stuff at a price premium.

I've got Champion reverse weave sweatshirts and t shirts from the 80's and 90's. The Nike and Adidas t shirts and ball caps I have all seem to last about 2 or 3 years before they make the yard work attire shelf.

As for hat designs: it amazes me what my 14 year old son thinks is a cool hat (flat brim, busy edgy urban design, etc.). My 12 year old likes a different look than his older brother (curved brim, simpler but still edgy design). So I guess everybody has their opinion. (Neither of them like the Adidas NASCAR like designs we've been seeing however.)

Adidas are not stupid. A large number of people must be buying this stuff.

While I agree with your general point, this UTL stuff isn't cheap, at least in terms of price. What's driving sales is the perceived sense of scarcity - these might not be available again (though if they're a big hit, they probably will be).

My 2 cents, not that it matters, is that they are all pretty weak. I'd wear the shirt on the left, if someone bought it for me. The rest, just bad.

And if your really going to put out a hat so bland and old school, why not just take it one more step and replicate the infamous Schembechler lid. All blue, maize block M. Clean and perfect. I'd buy that, full price even.

I don't pay $28 for button-down dress shirts - I sure as f-ck am not going to pay it for a stupid t-shirt. Not to mention the fact that the logo is stupid. I am always amazed at the amount of money entities pay marketing firms to produce stupid designs like these. My 3-year-old son draws more interesting things (just the other day he drew a street light that looks like a huge p-nis).

At first glance I was thinking the "penis light" was a light you clamp onto your penis, much like a "book light." The penis light would be for when you need to take a whiz in the middle of the night and don't want to turn on the actual bathroom light.

That is an outstanding idea. Of course, I figured the light could be used for more sortid purposes . . . But I will nevertheless get my son started on the drawings that could serve as the next great invention of the 21st Century!

Not at all. What I don't get is the people who are irritated with other people just giving their opinion. That's all they are - personal opinions on a public forum. You do realize that if people don't post their opinions then this thread would be really really short right? You like it, I don't like it. Simple as that. Why add the "speak for yourself"? Peoples opinions are exactly what makes this blog so good. No reason for anyone to negative unless truly called for.

All I can think of when I see that shirt is that "easy" button from office depot or staples.
A huge event like this and that is the best they can come up with. the "M" is timeless why mess with it. sometimes less is more - KISS.

the athletic department and the broader university community to be far more consistent in their usage of the official UM logos and marks. I guess when it comes to his own department making more money, his calls for branding consistency suddenly disappear.

The old Block M in a circle has legit historical roots, and looks nice. It just makes me all the more sorry that they didn't keep that as the simple branding focus, and (as Brian Cook among others suggested) use something like this as the model for the whole concept:

(As kids, we all wanted those socks. Basketball players wore the same socks.)

Take that basic uniform design that Mel Anthony is wearing versus Minnesota in 1964; with numbers on the helmet, with gray (not white) facemask, circle-M socks, and add the same circle-M logo to the jersey shoulders (since I suppose you have to do something to differentiate a jersey that adidas Marketing can sell), and with the '65 number font. And you're done. Done that way, it would have been different, it has historical connections, and it isn't freakishly ugly.

I kinda like the white shirt on the left with the small, skinny, block M. Definately a "retro" look. And it's not flashy like the nasty jersey so I don't know why you'd have a problem with something like that? It's not like they're going to just stop making new Michigan gear. I mean at some point they stopped making the 90's style M on shirts for the new style solid yellow M on the shirts - I'm sure you didn't have a problem with that? If anything these are more "throwback" than the jersey. I'm pretty sure my dad has a Michigan shirt from the 70's with a very similar M on the front.

I actually like the jersey. I think it is kind of cool as long as it remains as Dave Brandon says "a one off thing." I intend to buy they jersey.

I also don't really get what all of the fuss is about with the t-shirt and hat. There were plenty of ugly T's and hats prior to these so there is really no shock value here. If you don't like it don't buy it and it is as simple as that.

Like I said a month or two ago...I have pictures of all the under the light adidas products for both Michigan and Notre Dame...they have a knit hat which is cool...but it's Sept...the best thing is the Hooded Sweatshirt and the players hat as I said the bill is one color the rest is another which I'm not a fan of...this isn't all adidas as Michigan is the one who decides whether or not they want the item and they sign off on the look, there are a few shirts with trains on them and some with the old early-1900's program look to it....since people doubt me I will put a picture of the something "new"

Stop mentioning the fact that you are supposedly in the "know" - either spill your guts or stop talking about it. You're a journalist's nightmare - an informant who trumpets the fact that he knows something but refuses to talk.

Yea you realize that the stuff was made available to order in January...and hopefully you realize that Michigan didn't want any info out until they released it...sorry for respecting Adidas and Michigan and if you don't believe me I'm sure it won't keep me up too late...like I said I don't know how to post pictures and I have a pdf so do with that what you want, I will gladly email it to you just so you stop acting like a douche.

Not to mention well before the Big Chill jersey was released I described it in detail either on here or the Scout premium board and even said how ugly the logo was which was true...several months ago I described the sideline stuff in detail and I inform as much as I am allowed. I have also stated that Adidas was a switch done by Carr before he left and part of it was to make sure one of his son's was the main rep for the Michigan product which gave his son a very nice added income, although most people associate Adidas and Michigan as a result of Rich Rod.

Honestly, this blog complains way to much about the dumbest things. The merchendise that Adidas is selling is not the worst thing I've saw but certainly not the best, but who cares. Let's complain about Michigan not doing well during the season (I pray that it doesn't happen).

The shirt on the left is actually pretty nice. I like my shirts simple and this is...the one on the right I do not like so much and the hat is just butt. I would never where that but i think i may get the shirt on the left.

I originally thought it was some stippally pattern like oregon would wear in the M, based on the leaked non-jersey image. But now I see that it's a vintage stitching pattern and it kinda works. I've seen Stall & Dean and/or Ebbett's Field Flannels use that historically accurate stitching.

The t-shirts are tacky, however.

I bought a presale customized #1 jersey. I figure if it's tacky and I don't want it, I'll double my money on ebay when they sell-out and everyone wants one after the game. Plus it comes with some commemorative coin that's supposed to be a "$20 value".

Well my whole wardrobe is Michigan gear. I wear something Michigan everyday but that hat just does not do it for me. I love most of the Michigan stuff that I see but I honestly have to say the only way I could wear that hat is if my other choice was an Ohio State hat. Sorry guys